Castenada saluted in Mexican fashion.
"What do you want?" he asked in Spanish, which all understood.
"Your surrender," replied Moore coolly, "either that or the sworn
adherence of you and your men to Texas."
Castenada uttered an angry exclamation.
"This is presumption carried to the last degree," he said. "My own honor
and the honor of Mexico will not allow me to do either."
"It is that or fight."
"I bid you beware. General Cos is coming with a force that all Texas
cannot resist, and after him comes our great Santa Anna with another yet
greater. If the Texans make war they will be destroyed. The buffalo will
feed where their houses now stand."
"You have already made war. Accept our terms or fight. We deal with you
now. We deal with Cos and Santa Anna later on."
"There is nothing more to be said," replied Castenada with haughtiness.
"We are here in a strong position and you cannot take us."
He withdrew and Moore turned back with Ned and Obed.
"I don't think he ever meant this parley for anything except to gain
time," said Moore. "He's expecting a fresh Mexican force, but we'll see
that it comes too late."
Then raising his voice, he shouted to his command:
"Boys, they've chosen to fight, and they are there on the hill.
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